Yogyakarta, March 27, 2026 – The Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta commemorates the institutional achievement of once again being included in the top 151–200 globally at QS World University Rankings QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 field Art & Design as a reflection of the growing and globally networked collective work of the academic art ecosystem. The announcement released on March 25, 2026, places ISI Yogyakarta within a landscape of over 300 art and design institutions worldwide, with QS World University Rankings confirming the position of the field Art & Design as one of the most internationally competitive categories.
For the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, this achievement is not only seen as a ranking result, but as an important indicator of the relevance of art education approaches that develop and combine the strengths of artistic practice, creation-based research, and connections with the creative industry and cultural communities. In a global context, institutions such as Royal College of Art The return to the top position shows that the global art education ecosystem is moving towards a closer integration of innovation, research, and professional practice.
The Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at ISI Yogyakarta, Mr. Muhamad Sholahuddin, S.Sn., M.T., stated that this achievement reflects the multifaceted contributions of lecturers, students, and network partners who have been involved in the development of knowledge in fine arts and design. “Our highest regards to all members of the academic community of FSRD ISI Yogyakarta, the dedicated lecturers who tirelessly research and create, the students who continuously experiment, and the educational staff who maintain the institution's rhythm. Thank you also to the Rector of ISI Yogyakarta, Mr. Dr. Irwandi, S.Sn., M.Sn., the Vice Rectors, and all leaders of ISI Yogyakarta for their strategic guidance in overseeing this institutional transformation. Let us make this 2026 momentum a stepping stone to leap higher. FSRD ISI Yogyakarta not only wants to be “present” on the world ranking list but also wants to be a party that helps determine the future direction of world fine arts and design,” he said.
Then, Dr. I Gede Arya Sucitra, S.Sn., M.A., as the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FSRD ISI Yogyakarta, also stated, “At the faculty level, especially the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, this achievement strengthens our commitment to encouraging research-based curriculum innovation, strengthening reflective-critical studio practice, and expanding international collaboration networks. We view indicators such as academic reputation, graduate user reputation, and international research networks as needing to be translated concretely into adaptive, transdisciplinary, and impact-oriented academic strategies,” he said.
Assessment QS World University Rankings by Subject itself is based on a number of key indicators such as academic reputation, reputation in the eyes of graduate users, publication citations, H-index, and international research networks. In the fields of art and design, the first two indicators become very dominant as they directly relate to the perception of institutional quality among global academics and creative industry players. This aligns with the global trend in art education which, according to various UNESCO reports and international creative industry studies, increasingly emphasizes the relevance of graduates to the needs of the dynamic creative workforce.
From the faculty's perspective, this achievement also opens up space for reflection on the future direction of development. The Faculty of Fine Arts and Design assesses that strengthening its global position cannot be separated from the institution's ability to respond to contemporary issues such as sustainability.sustainability), digital technology in art practice, and interdisciplinary approaches. In recent years, various cross-border collaborative programs and artist residencies have become part of the strategy to expand international exposure while enriching students' academic experience.
Furthermore, this achievement strengthens ISI Yogyakarta's position as part of the global conversation on art education, especially in the Asian region. With its position also ranked among the top at the regional level, ISI Yogyakarta is seen as having strategic potential to become a hub for the exchange of art and cultural knowledge between the local Indonesian context and global dynamics.
The Faculty of Fine Arts and Design emphasizes that the upcoming challenge is not only to maintain its ranking position, but to ensure that the quality of education, research, and artistic practice produced remains impactful. This includes contributing to the development of the creative industry, the preservation and reinterpretation of culture, as well as the creation of works relevant to contemporary social issues.
Thus, achievements in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 is understood not as an endpoint, but as part of an ongoing process of building an open, collaborative, and globally oriented art education ecosystem, while remaining strongly rooted in the Indonesian cultural context.
Reference https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/art-design
Author: Faculty Public Relations
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